Live at Camp Long

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Barred Owls at Camp Long

A juvenile Barred Owl (Strix varia) peers curiously at its photographer
from the woods at Camp Long. One adult and 2 juveniles have been sighted
by naturalists over the last 2 months.
Although a nest has not been located it is very likely that the owls nested
at Camp Long.

Nests are difficult to find since Barred owls prefer to nest in tree
cavities. They will also use empty hawk nests, crows nests, or squirrel
nests. Barred owlets fledge (fly) at 6 weeks old but continue to be
cared for by adults for up to six months. Breeding takes place in early
spring and eggs are incubated for 28-33 days. It is estimated that the
Camp Long owlets are approximately 2 to 2 ½ months old. This
one was extremely curious and flew closer to examine the photographer
as its sibling hissed and begged for food from the adult nearby.

Barred owls are large owls (20" tall) with round heads and NO
ear tufts. They are brownish-gray with brown and white bars across their
chest, hence the name"barred" owls. Unlike most owls their
eyes are dark brown instead of yellow. They are found in lowland forests,
parks and suburban areas. Barred owls are often out at night, dawn or
dusk, but can also be seen during the day. They eat primarily mice,
as well as squirrels, foxes, rabbits, bats, small birds, other owls,
snakes, lizards, fish, spiders and insects.

The barred owl (Strix varia) is native to eastern forests but has
moved into the Pacific Northwest over the last several decades. It is
believed that they are displacing their close relative, the threatened
northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Barred owls are larger,
more aggressive, and better adapted to a range of habitats. As the Barred
Owl moves into the Pacific Northwest, it is also breeding with the Spotted
Owl, to form hybrid birds slangily called "Sparred Owls".

The familiar "Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?"
is the signature call of the Barred Owl.
> listen

Spotting Eaglets with Camp Long!

Photographer Mike Hamilton snapped these photos of an eaglet during
Camp Long's Enthralling Eagle program. The nest is located on the hillside
directly behind the Parks Department Westbridge building. The eaglet
was probably around 3 months old at the time of this photo (July 2003),
given that eggs are laid around mid - March and they incubate for approximately
30 -35 days. This baby is just about full sized - 2-3 ½ feet
tall with wing span of 6-8 feet. It is now called a fledgling and will
start hopping around and exercising its wings to prepare for flight.

This is a Northwestern Salamander!

Northwestern Salamander
spotted at Camp Long

The Northwestern Salamander breeds in Camp Long's Polliwog Pond (move
over polliwogs!). They breed in mid -February to early March and their
egg masses range from the size of a fist to a grapefruit. The jelly
mass contains about 40 - 250 individual eggs. They hatch into little
salamander larvae (like frog tadpoles but with gills on the side of
the neck) in about 4-8 weeks, depending on water temperature and species.
They belong to a family called Mole salamanders whose adults spend most
time on land (in this case in the forest) but migrate to ponds or slow
moving streams to breed. Adults return to land within a few days of
breeding.